Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-02-16
TEACHING OTHERS.


Nhurcn Last Night.
The following Is an abstract Of the sub
iect discussed at the prayer meeting in
the Presbyterian Church last night, in
which the pastor said
Ii is the duty of every christian 10 teach
his religion to somebody else. Whether
he shall become teacher In the ordinary
sense and make known the truths he be
lieyes as teacher does TO pupils, will de-
pend on circumstances. Some of the
most effective lessons are taught by the
example, by the character, by ones mode
of living. And we can teach in that way
when we are not able to teach in any other
way. Indeed, this is the first step in all
true teaching. Some one has said, that
Christ wants us TO be examples before
we are teachers, that is, we are to teach
by our examples before we teach by our
words. Rowland Hill declared, that we
can do more good by being good than in
three things, and when he shall have got
ten them, he says . Then will teach
transgressors thy ways" The prayer for
q clean heart is the first of the things he
needs He says Create in me a clean
heart, o God This clean heart is the
work of God and he so regards it, for he
says, create this clean heart God alone
can create. Then when he has this clean,
pure heart he will be ready TO make an
impression for good upon those around.
David Hume said he had answered all the
arguments against infdelity except one.
The life of that christian young man,
pointing to him as he passed, is an argu-
ment / cannot answer.
In the Theological Seminary at Prince
ton, N. j., there was student by the
name of Newbold, who lived very
pure and excellent life. Said DIR. Hodge,
one of the professors, speaking of this
young man. For q series of years, / act
ed upon the purpose of not allowing his
memory to die out in the Seminary.
Therefore once in three yevrs, held him
up as an example. wished to make the
students see how much good can be done
by simply being good" A young man
went to India as missionary, but could
not learn the language. He wished to
return to this country, and SO wrote the
Board of Missions. A dozen missionaries
protested, because, said they, "his life and
character did more than our preaching.
Every christian can do good by setting a
good example.
The Psalmist prayed also Cast me
not away from thy presence and taken
thy Holy Spirit from me" The Holy
Spirit en'ightens the mind, and quickens
the conscience, and fits us for work in the
Masters service. How much men have
done under the influence of the Holy
Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who regen-
crates and sanctifies the heart. 1t is the
Holy Spirit who gives right desires and
affections. He causes us to long for the
good of those around us, and gives us
success in our efforts to benefit them.
Another thing the Psalmist desired to
make him successful in teaching trans
gressors was a cheerful spirit, for he
prays Restore unto me the joy of thy
salvation" Cheerfulness "maketh a
cheerful countcnance,' cit doeth good
like a medicine, it is a continual feast ;"
The christion ought to be happy. He
ought to show his happiness. There is
now no condemnation. He is God s
dear child. All things shall work togeth-
or for his good. He has hope that
reaches beyond this life.
With such views of our relation to God
and to the great future, there is no room
for discomfort and complaint. The dark
est cloud has some brightness to the chris
tian. AT all times he can show a joyous
disposition. Let dangers stand around,
let difficulties meet US, let disappointment
anu lVeSeS COHlcs We may Accl tHdt We are
under the special care and guardianship
of God. This cheerful, bright view that
we give of our holy religion recommends
1t to our fellow men.
Having. then, clean heart, the pres
ence of God, and joyous disposition,
we are ready to teach our fellow men the
great truths of our religion. We are ready
to make an impression for good upon
them, Let us seek these things that we
may be useful